Connected scale device

ABSTRACT

A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property includes a connected scale device that is configured to receive a package, determine a weight of the package, and after determining the weight of the package, arm the connected scale device, and a monitoring control unit that is configured to receive, from the connected scale device, data indicating that the connected scale device received the package and the connected scale device is armed, and based on receiving the data indicating that the connected scale device received the package and the connected scale device is armed, communicate, to a user device of a resident of the property, a notification indicating that the connected scale device received the package.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/840,595, filed Apr. 6, 2020, now allowed, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 16/383,866, filed Apr. 15, 2019, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,612,960, issued Apr. 7, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/951,952, filed Apr. 12, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,267,668, issued Apr. 23, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/484,436, filed Apr. 12, 2017, and titled“Package Scale Device.” All of these prior applications are incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to property monitoring technology.

BACKGROUND

Many people equip homes and businesses with monitoring systems toprovide increased security for their homes and businesses.

SUMMARY

Techniques are described for monitoring technology. For example,techniques are described for integrating a connected scale device into amonitoring system to allow for monitoring packages that are delivered toa monitored property.

According to an innovative aspect of the subject matter described inthis application, a monitoring system that is configured to monitor aproperty includes a connected scale device that is configured to receivea package, determine a weight of the package, and after determining theweight of the package, arm the connected scale device. The monitoringsystem includes a monitoring control unit that is configured to receive,from the connected scale device, data indicating that the connectedscale device received the package and the connected scale device isarmed, and based on receiving the data indicating that the connectedscale device received the package and the connected scale device isarmed, communicate, to a user device of a resident of the property, anotification indicating that the connected scale device received thepackage.

These and other implementations each optionally include one or more ofthe following optional features. The monitoring control unit is furtherconfigured to receive, from an external server, shipping data thatspecifies the weight of an item that is expected to be delivered to theproperty, receive, from the connected scale device, data indicating theweight of the package, compare the weight of the package to the weightof the item that is expected to be delivered to the property, determinethat the weight of the package is within a threshold weight of theweight of the item that is expected to be delivered to the property, andwhere the notification further indicates that the package is likely theitem that is expected to be delivered to the property. The connectedscale device is configured to receive, from the monitor control unit,the shipping data that specifies the weight of the item that is expectedto be delivered to the property, detect a person approaching theconnected scale device, and output an audible message indicatinginstructions for delivering the item that is expected to be delivered tothe property based on (i) detecting the person approaching the connectedscale device and (ii) receiving the shipping data that includes theweight of the item that is expected to be delivered to the property.

The monitoring control unit is configured to receive a disarm code,compare the disarm code to a stored disarm code, and disarm theconnected scale device based on the received disarm code matching thestored disarm code. The monitoring control unit is configured to comparethe received disarm code to the stored disarm code by comparing thereceived disarm code to a disarm code that disarms the monitoring systemwhile the monitoring system is in an armed state, and disarm theconnected scale device based on the received disarm code matching thedisarm code that disarms the monitoring system while the monitoringsystem is in an armed state. The monitoring control unit is configuredto compare the received disarm code to the stored disarm code bycomparing the received disarm code to a disarm code that disarms theconnected scale device and that does not disarm the monitoring systemwhile the monitoring system is in an armed state, and disarm theconnected scale device based on the received disarm code matching thedisarm code that disarms the connected scale device and that does notdisarm the monitoring system while the monitoring system is in an armedstate. The connected scale device is configured to receive by a monitorcontrol unit of the monitoring system, the disarm code. The monitoringcontrol unit is configured to receive from a monitoring systemapplication running on the user device of the resident of the property,the disarm code.

The monitoring control unit is configured to receive a biometricidentifier, compare the received biometric identifier to a storedbiometric identifier, and disarm the connected scale device based on thereceived biometric identifier matching the stored biometric identifier.The monitoring control unit is configured to receive a biometricidentifier by, receiving, at a finger print scanner, a finger print,compare the received biometric identifier to a stored biometricidentifier by comparing the received finger print to a stored fingerprint, and disarm the connected scale device based on the receivedbiometric identifier matching the stored biometric identifier bydisarming the connected scale device based on the received finger printmatching the stored finger print. The monitoring control unit isconfigured to receive biometric identifier by, receiving from a camerain the vicinity of the connected scale device, an image, compare thereceived biometric identifier to a stored biometric identifier bycomparing the received image to a stored image, and disarm the connectedscale based on the received biometric identifier matching the storedbiometric identifier by disarming the connected scale device based inthe received image matching the stored image

The monitoring control unit is configured to receive biometricidentifier by, receiving, at microphone, a voice sample, compare thereceived biometric identifier to a stored biometric identifier bycomparing the received voice sample to a stored voice sample, and disarmthe connected scale device based on the received biometric identifiermatching the stored biometric identifier by disarming the connectedscale device based on the received voice sample matching the storedvoice sample. The connected scale device is configured to detect ashort-range radio device in a vicinity of the connected scale device,and determine that the short range radio device is a known short-rangeradio device, and the monitoring control unit it configured to receive,from the connected scale device, data indicating that the connectedscale device detected the known short-range radio device, and based onreceiving data indicating that the connected scale device detected theknown short-range radio device, disarm the connected scale device. Theshort-range radio device may be a Bluetooth capable device.

The connected scale device is configured to determine that the connectedscale device is located outside of a threshold distance of the property,and generate an audible alarm based on determining the connected scaledevice is located outside of the threshold distance of the property. Theconnected scale device is configured to detect a change in a weightreading of the connected scale device for a period of time, determinethat the change in the weight reading satisfies a weight threshold,determine that the period of time satisfies a time threshold, and basedon determining that the change in the weight reading satisfies theweight threshold and determining that the period of time satisfies thetime threshold, generate an alarm.

The connected scale device is configured to communicate, to the monitorcontrol unit, data indicating the alarm generated based on determiningthat the change in the weight reading satisfies the weight threshold anddetermining that the period of time satisfies the time threshold, andthe monitor control unit is configured to receive, from the connectedscale device, the data indicating that the alarm, and based on receivingthe data indicating the alarm, perform an action.

The monitor control unit it configured to perform an action by flashingone or more lights on or off. The monitor control unit is configured toperform an action by deploying an autonomous drone to search an areaaround the property, and the drone includes a camera that is configuredto capture image data, and is configured to communicate the capturedimage data to the monitor control unit. The connected scale device isconfigured to receive an additional package while the connected scaledevice is armed and the package is on the connected scale device,determine a weight of the second package and the package, and themonitoring control unit is configured to, receive, from the connectedscale device, data indicating that the connected scale device receivedthe additional package, and based on receiving data indicating that theconnected scale received the additional package, communicate, to theuser device of the resident of the property, a notification indicatingthat the connected scale device received the additional package.

The monitoring control unit is configured to receive, from the connectedscale device, data indicating the change in the weight reading of theconnected scale device for the period of time, receive weather data forthe period of time and for an additional period between the weightreading change and receipt of the package, based on the weather data forthe period of time and for the additional period between the weightreading change and the receipt of the package, determine that weatherlikely caused the change in the weight reading, and based on determiningthat the weather likely causes the change in the weight reading,deactivating the alarm. The monitoring control unit is configured tobased on the alarm, generate and transmit an instruction for a camera ina vicinity of the connected scale device to capture image data.

The connected scale device is configured to detect a change in a weightreading of the connected scale device for a period of time, determinethat the change in the weight reading does not satisfies a weightthreshold or that the period of time does not satisfy a time threshold,and based on determining that the change in the weight reading does notsatisfy the weight threshold or determining that the period of time doesnot satisfy the time threshold, maintain an armed state withoutgenerating an alarm.

According to another innovative aspect of the subject matter describedin this application, a computer implemented method includes receiving,by a connected scale device, a package, determining, by the connectedscale device, a weight of the package, and after determining the weightof the package, arming the connected scale device, and communicating, bythe connected scale device, a notification indicating that the connectedscale device received the package.

Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, amethod or process implemented at least partially in hardware, or acomputer-readable storage medium encoded with executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, perform operations.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will beapparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for delivering a package on aconnected scale device at a monitored property.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a monitoring system integrated with aconnected scale device.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example process for sending a packagereceipt notification to a user.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process for triggering an alarm.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example process for communicating a packagereceipt notification to a user device of a resident of a monitoredproperty.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an example process for notifying a user toorder more of a particular product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques are described for integrating a connected scale device into amonitoring system to allow for the secured delivery of packages to amonitored property. A connected scale device may be located in an areato the exterior of the monitored property, and may be weather resistantto ensure reliable performance during extreme temperatures, wind, andprecipitation. The connected scale device may have a large surface areato accept equally large packages. When packages are delivered to themonitored property and placed on the connected scale device, the scaledetects the weight of the package, and arms the connected scale device.The connected scale device monitors the weight on the scale for anychanges to ensure the security of the package until the scale isdisarmed and package is retrieved by a user associated with themonitored property.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a monitoring system 100 integrated witha connected scale device 104. As shown in FIG. 1 , a property 102 (e.g.a home) of a user 116 is monitored by an in-home monitoring system (e.g.in-home security system) that includes components that are fixed withinthe property 102. The in-home monitoring system may include a controlunit 112, one or more sensors 110, one or more cameras 108, one or morelights 106, and a connected scale device 104. The user 116 may integratethe connected scale device 104 into the in-home monitoring system tomonitor the packages delivered to the monitored property 102 when theuser 116 may be away or otherwise unavailable to accept a package. Theconnected scale device 104 may be placed at an area on the exterior ofthe monitored property 102 in the sight of a delivery man 122. Forexample, the connected scale device 104 may be placed on the side of thefront door of the property 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 , a delivery man 122 may approach themonitored property 102 to deliver one or more packages 120. Theconnected scale device 104 may be marked with signage that instructs thedelivery man 122 to place deliveries on the scale. The signage may alsoindicate to prospective thieves that the packages are being monitored,and if removed from the scale before disarming, an alarm will sound. Insome examples, the connected scale device 104 may be equipped with amotion sensor that may detect when someone approaches the connectedscale device 104, and based on the detected motion, the connected scaledevice 104 may output an audible message indicating that deliveriesshould be placed on the connected scale device. In some other examples,the connected scale device 104 may be equipped with a camera that maydetect a person approaching the monitored property 102, and may promptthe speaker of the connected scale device 104 to output an audiblemessage.

The delivery man 122 may place the one or more packages 120 on theconnected scale device 104, and the connected scale device 104 maydetermine the weight of the one or more packages 120. The connectedscale device 104 may be any appropriate type of scale than canaccurately measure the weight of items placed on the scale. For example,the scale may be an analog or digital scale, or may be a spring balanceor load cell spring. In some implementations, the connected scale device104 changes to an armed status when one or more packages 120 are placedon the scale. In these implementations, the connected scale device 104communicates the weight of the one or more delivered packages to thecontrol unit 112, and the control unit 112 may instruct the connectedscale device to switch to the armed state. An LED status indicator onthe connected scale device 104 may light red to indicate that theconnected scale device is armed.

In some implementations, the connected scale device 104 may be equippedwith a button that can be used to initiate two-way voice conversations.In these implementations, when the delivery man 122 places a package onthe connected scale device 104, the delivery man 122 may press thebutton to initiate a two-way conversation with the user 116. Thedelivery man 122 may communicate the delivery of the package to the user116. The button on the connected scale device 104 may also be configuredto initiate a video connection.

The control unit 112 may communicate a package receipt notification tothe user device 118 of the user 116. The package receipt notificationmay include the time of the delivery, and the determined weight of thepackage. In some implementations, the package receipt notification mayinclude shipper and sender details. For example, the package receiptnotification may indicate that the air filters ordered from Internetseller have been delivered by UPS, and the package weighs 3 lbs. Inthese implementations, the monitoring server 114 may receive data fromone or more third party servers 124 through API integration. Themonitoring server 114 may be located remotely from the monitoredproperty, and may be in communication with several other control unitsthat manage the in-home monitoring systems of several properties. Themonitoring server 114 may receive sender information from third partyservers 124 such as, sender servers, and shipper servers. The packagereceipt notification may be communicated to the user device 118 as atext message, SMS message, or through an in-app message.

The connected scale device 104 remains in the armed state until the user116 disarms the connected scale device 104 to retrieve the packages 120.In some examples, the connected scale device 104 may have a panel thatallows a user to enter a disarm code. The panel may include a keypad, afingerprint scanner, or a retina scanner. The user 118 may disarm theconnected scale device 120 by entering a unique user access code on thekeypad, and may then access the one or more packages 120 withouttriggering the alarm. The user access code may be the same code used todisarm the in-home monitoring system, or may be a different user accesscode. In some examples, the user 116 may disarm the in-home monitoringsystem at the monitored property 102, and the connected scale device 104may automatically disarm based on the status of the in-home monitoringsystem. In these examples, the arming state of the connected scaledevice 104 may depend on the arming state of the in-home monitoringsystem. For example, the connected scale device 104 may be in an armedstate once the in-home monitoring system is in an armed state, whether apackage is delivered on the scale or not.

In some implementations, the arming state of the connected scale device104 may be based on the location of the one or more users associatedwith the monitored property 102. The connected scale device 104 may bein an armed state when, based on the GPS location of the use devicesassociated with each user determines that each of the users are outsideof the monitored property. The status of the connected scale device 104may be based on a user configurable schedule. For example, the user mayset a schedule based on whether the user is expecting a package or not.In other examples, the connected scale device 104 status may beautomated based on receiving data through API integration with theshipper and or sender of the package. For example, the connected scaledevice may be in an armed state when the connected scale device receivesdata from FedEx indicating that a package is out for delivery.

In some examples, the user 116 may disarm the connected scale device 104by entering a user access code into a connected door lock. For example,the front door of the monitored property 102 may be a connected doorlock, and the user may unlock the door with a user code thatsimultaneously unlocks the connected scale device 104. The user 116 maydisarm the connected scale device 104 based on a biometricauthentication. The user 116 may use the finger print scanner, or retinascanner to disarm the connected scale device. In some implementations,the finger print scanner and the retina scanner may be on the connectedscale device. In other implementations, the finger print scanner and theretina scanner may be located on the control panel for the in-homemonitoring system. The connected scale device may be disarmed usingfacial recognition enabled through a front door knob camera.

In some examples, the connected scale device 120 may be disarmed byvoice recognition authentication. In these examples, the user 116 mayspeak the user access code into the speaker on the connected scaledevice 104 to disarm the scale. In some other examples, the connectedscale device 104 may automatically disarm when the user device 118 is inclose proximity to the scale. For example, the user device 118 mayconnect to the connected scale device 104 via Bluetooth and lead to theautomatic disarming of the scale. The user 116 may disarm the connectedscale device 104 remotely by sending a command through a nativeapplication on the user device 118. For example, the user may not beexpected back to the monitored property for a long period, and may wanta neighbor to retrieve the delivered packages. The user 116 may disarmthe connected scale device and the scale would be disarmed for a setperiod of time for the neighbor to retrieve the packages.

In some implementations, the property 102 may not be monitored by anin-home monitoring system. In such examples, the location of theconnected scale device 104 is constantly monitored by a GPS trackerassociated with the scale. The GPS tracker may communicate its locationto a central server that administers over several other connected scaledevices to constantly monitor the connected scale device. When a packageis delivered on the connected scale device, the device may communicatethe receipt of delivery to a central server, which in turn generates anotification to the user. The user may receive the notifications throughan application used to track and monitor the connected scale devicesassociated with a particular user. The GPS tracker associated with theconnected scale device may be used to determine when the connected scaledevice is being removed from the property. The connected scale device104 may be configured with a geofence that limits the distance theconnected scale device 104 can be moved from the property before analarm is generated. The connected scale device 104 may generate anaudible alarm when moved beyond the threshold distance of the geofence.If the connected scale device is stolen from the property, the GPStracker can be used by law enforcement to locate the device.

The connected scale device 104 may send a notification to the userdevice 118 of the user 116 associated with the monitored property 102.The connected scale device 104 may generate the notification based ondetermining that the delivered one or more packages have been left onthe scale for an extended time period. The time period may be a timeperiod set by the user 116, or in some examples, the time period may bedynamically determined based one data received by the monitoring server114. The notification may be sent as an SMS text, an email, or any othersuitable method. The notification may include the details of the packagesuch as weight, time of delivery, sender information, shipperinformation, and time spent on the scale. In some implementations, thenotification may include one or more pictures or video recordings ofpackage which was captured by one or more cameras near the connectedscale device 104. The user 116 may respond to the notification toremotely disarm the connected scale device to allow a friend or neighborto retrieve the package.

The in-home monitoring system that incorporates the connected scaledevice may use the API integration with the third party servers 124 ofthe shippers, such as Amazon, WayFair, Target, etc., and servers of theshipping companies, such as FedEx and UPS, to enable the sharing ofinformation to improve the effectiveness of the system for securingpackages. The data provided by the third parties may include, weight,dimensions, materials, contents, date of shipment, if fragile, ifperishable (and any details about its perishable time frame), if frozen(and any details about its frozen timeframe), if toxic/hazmat,approximate value, if carrying live plants or animals, etc. The datacould also include information about the expected time frame fordelivery, the actual time of delivery, confirmation of delivery, and anyother additional delivery data. The control unit at the monitoredproperty 102 may share information with the monitoring server 114 whichin turn may share the data with the third party servers 124. Informationsuch as, confirmation that a package matching the weight and deliverytimeframe characteristics of a package reported by the third party wasreceived on the connected scale, along with later confirmation that thepackage was successfully retrieved by an authorized user, ornotification that the package was stolen. If a package was stolen, thecontrol unit 112 may also share details about the theft with themonitoring server 114 and in turn the third party server 124.

The data could be used to determine the probability of packages beingstolen in specific neighborhoods, apartment buildings, city blocks, zipcodes etc., and could be used by the systems to determine whether or notto leave a package at an unmonitored property, or may be used by thein-home monitoring system to increase security. For example, themonitoring system may eliminate an alarm delay in areas with high theft.The system may also increase the priority for packages that areperishable or frozen or containing live plants or animals by decreasingthe time period for sending a notification to the user.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system 200 configured to monitor aproperty. The system 200 includes a network 205, a monitoring systemcontrol unit 210, one or more user devices 240, a monitoring applicationserver 260, and a central alarm station server 270. The network 205facilitates communications between the monitoring system control unit210, the one or more user devices 240, the monitoring application server260, and the central alarm station server 270. The network 205 isconfigured to enable exchange of electronic communications betweendevices connected to the network 205. For example, the network 205 maybe configured to enable exchange of electronic communications betweenthe monitoring system control unit 210, the one or more user devices240, the monitoring application server 260, and the central alarmstation server 270. The network 205 may include, for example, one ormore of the Internet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks(LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., apublic switched telephone network (PSTN), Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN), a cellular network, and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)),radio, television, cable, satellite, or any other delivery or tunnelingmechanism for carrying data. Network 205 may include multiple networksor subnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired orwireless data pathway. The network 205 may include a circuit-switchednetwork, a packet-switched data network, or any other network able tocarry electronic communications (e.g., data or voice communications).For example, the network 205 may include networks based on the Internetprotocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), the PSTN,packet-switched networks based on IP, X.25, or Frame Relay, or othercomparable technologies and may support voice using, for example, VoIP,or other comparable protocols used for voice communications. The network205 may include one or more networks that include wireless data channelsand wireless voice channels. The network 205 may be a wireless network,a broadband network, or a combination of networks including a wirelessnetwork and a broadband network.

The monitoring system control unit 210 includes a controller 212 and anetwork module 214. The controller 212 is configured to control amonitoring system (e.g., a home alarm or security system) that includesthe monitor control unit 210. In some examples, the controller 212 mayinclude a processor or other control circuitry configured to executeinstructions of a program that controls operation of an alarm system. Inthese examples, the controller 212 may be configured to receive inputfrom indoor door knobs, sensors, detectors, or other devices included inthe alarm system and control operations of devices included in the alarmsystem or other household devices (e.g., a thermostat, an appliance,lights, etc.). For example, the controller 212 may be configured tocontrol operation of the network module 214 included in the monitoringsystem control unit 210.

The network module 214 is a communication device configured to exchangecommunications over the network 205. The network module 214 may be awireless communication module configured to exchange wirelesscommunications over the network 205. For example, the network module 214may be a wireless communication device configured to exchangecommunications over a wireless data channel and a wireless voicechannel. In this example, the network module 214 may transmit alarm dataover a wireless data channel and establish a two-way voice communicationsession over a wireless voice channel. The wireless communication devicemay include one or more of a GSM module, a radio modem, cellulartransmission module, or any type of module configured to exchangecommunications in one of the following formats: LTE, GSM or GPRS, CDMA,EDGE or EGPRS, EV-DO or EVDO, UMTS, or IP.

The network module 214 also may be a wired communication moduleconfigured to exchange communications over the network 205 using a wiredconnection. For instance, the network module 214 may be a modem, anetwork interface card, or another type of network interface device. Thenetwork module 214 may be an Ethernet network card configured to enablethe monitoring control unit 210 to communicate over a local area networkand/or the Internet. The network module 214 also may be a voicebandmodem configured to enable the alarm panel to communicate over thetelephone lines of Plain Old Telephone Systems (POTS).

The monitoring system may include a connected scale device 222. Theconnected scale device 222 may include an electronic sensor that allowsthe connected scale device to communicate with the monitor control unit210. In some implementations, the connected scale device 222 maycommunicate with the monitor control unit 210 through Zwave, Zigbee,BLE, LoRA, LPWan, GSM, CDMA, LTE, Wi-Fi, Powerline, PoE, Ethernet, otherwireline, proprietary 900 Mhz/2.4 Gz/other radio frequency, or any othersuitable method of communication.

The connected scale device 222 may be shaped as a square or rectangularreceptacle, and may be available in one or more different styles andcolors. The connected scale device 222 may have a paintable surface thatmay be painted by the user to match the exterior of the monitoredproperty. The connected scale device may be an analog, digital, springbalance, or load cell scale that can reliably measure weight of anobject placed on the scale. The connected scale device 222 may includean LED status indictor. The status indicator LED may light red when apackage is delivered on the scale, may light green when the scale isexpecting a package, and may light yellow to indicate low power levels.The status indicator may be configured by the user to light one or moredifferent colors to indicate one or more other statuses.

The connected scale device 222 may be battery powered by a one-time usebattery or a rechargeable battery. In some examples, the connected scaledevice 222 may be configured with one or more solar panels to allow thescale to absorb solar energy to power the device. In some otherexamples, where the scale is a spring load type scale, the scale may bepowered by the force of the packages being placed on the scale. Forexample, the compression and decompression of the spring of the scalemay be converted to power for the scale. The connected scale device maynot require large amount of power since the scale is in an idle modeunless awakened by a change in weight. When the connected scale deviceis in idle mode, the scale would turn off the unused processors,sensors, and transmitting radio to reserve power. The connected scaledevice may be configured to perform self-diagnostic maintenance. Forexample, the connected scale device may be able to communicate to thecontrol unit when the battery is running or, or when one or morecomponents of the connected scale device are malfunctioning. Theconnected scale device may include a key pad, a fingerprint scanner,retina scanner, cameras, speakers, and or other electronic sensors. Theconnected scale device may include a GPS tracker, an accelerometer, andor a gyroscope to monitor the location and or movement of the scale.

The monitoring system may include multiple sensors 220. The sensors 220may include a contact sensor, a motion sensor, a glass break sensor, orany other type of sensor included in an alarm system or security system.The sensors 220 also may include an environmental sensor, such as atemperature sensor, a water sensor, a rain sensor, a wind sensor, alight sensor, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, an airquality sensor, etc. The sensors 220 further may include a healthmonitoring sensor, such as a prescription bottle sensor that monitorstaking of prescriptions, a blood pressure sensor, a blood sugar sensor,a bed mat configured to sense presence of liquid (e.g., bodily fluids)on the bed mat, etc. In some examples, the sensors 220 may include aradio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor that identifies aparticular article that includes a pre-assigned RFID tag.

The one or more cameras 230 may be a video/photographic camera or othertype of optical sensing device configured to capture images. Forinstance, the one or more cameras 230 may be configured to captureimages of an area within a building monitored by the monitor controlunit 210. The one or more cameras 230 may be configured to capturesingle, static images of the area and also video images of the area inwhich multiple images of the area are captured at a relatively highfrequency (e.g., thirty images per second). The one or more cameras 230may be controlled based on commands received from the monitor controlunit 210.

The one or more cameras 230 may be triggered by several different typesof techniques. For instance, a Passive Infra Red (PIR) motion sensor maybe built into the one or more cameras 230 and used to trigger the one ormore cameras 230 to capture one or more images when motion is detected.The one or more cameras 230 also may include a microwave motion sensorbuilt into the camera and used to trigger the camera to capture one ormore images when motion is detected. Each of the one or more cameras 230may have a “normally open” or “normally closed” digital input that cantrigger capture of one or more images when external sensors (e.g., thesensors 220, PIR, door/window, etc.) detect motion or other events. Insome implementations, at least one camera 230 receives a command tocapture an image when external devices detect motion or anotherpotential alarm event. The camera may receive the command from thecontroller 212 or directly from one of the sensors 220.

In some examples, the one or more cameras 230 triggers integrated orexternal illuminators (e.g., Infra Red, Z-wave controlled “white”lights, lights controlled by the module 214, etc.) to improve imagequality when the scene is dark. An integrated or separate light sensormay be used to determine if illumination is desired and may result inincreased image quality.

The sensors 220, the connected scale device 222, and the cameras 230communicate with the controller 212 over communication links 224, 226,and 228. The communication links 224, 226, and 228 may be a wired orwireless data pathway configured to transmit signals from the sensors220, the package holder devices 222, and the cameras 230 to thecontroller 212. The communication link 224, 226, and 228 228 may includea local network, such as, 802.11 “Wi-Fi” wireless Ethernet (e.g., usinglow-power Wi-Fi chipsets), Z-Wave, Power Over Ethernet (POE), Zigbee,Bluetooth, “HomePlug” or other Powerline networks that operate over ACwiring, and a Category 5 (CATS) or Category 6 (CAT6) wired Ethernetnetwork.

The monitoring application server 260 is an electronic device configuredto provide monitoring services by exchanging electronic communicationswith the monitor control unit 210, and the one or more user devices 240,over the network 205. For example, the monitoring application server 260may be configured to monitor events (e.g., alarm events) generated bythe monitor control unit 210. In this example, the monitoringapplication server 260 may exchange electronic communications with thenetwork module 214 included in the monitoring system control unit 210 toreceive information regarding events (e.g., alarm events) detected bythe monitoring system control unit 210. The monitoring applicationserver 260 also may receive information regarding events (e.g., alarmevents) from the one or more user devices 240.

The one or more user devices 240 are devices that host and display userinterfaces. The user device 240 may be a cellular phone or anon-cellular locally networked device with a display. The user device240 may include a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a personaldigital assistant (“PDA”), or any other portable device configured tocommunicate over a network and display information. For example,implementations may also include Blackberry-type devices (e.g., asprovided by Research in Motion), electronic organizers, iPhone-typedevices (e.g., as provided by Apple), iPod devices (e.g., as provided byApple) or other portable music players, other communication devices, andhandheld or portable electronic devices for gaming, communications,and/or data organization. The user device 240 may perform functionsunrelated to the monitoring system, such as placing personal telephonecalls, playing music, playing video, displaying pictures, browsing theInternet, maintaining an electronic calendar, etc.

The user device 240 includes a native surveillance application 242. Thenative surveillance application 242 refers to a software/firmwareprogram running on the corresponding mobile device that enables the userinterface and features described throughout. The user device 240 mayload or install the native surveillance application 242 based on datareceived over a network or data received from local media. The nativesurveillance application 242 runs on mobile devices platforms, such asiPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry, Google Android, Windows Mobile, etc. Thenative surveillance application 242 enables the user device 140 toreceive and process image and sensor data from the monitoring system.

The central alarm station server 270 is an electronic device configuredto provide alarm monitoring service by exchanging communications withthe monitor control unit 210, the one or more user devices 240, and themonitoring application server 260 over the network 205. For example, thecentral alarm station server 270 may be configured to monitor alarmevents generated by the monitoring system control unit 210. In thisexample, the central alarm station server 270 may exchangecommunications with the network module 214 included in the monitorcontrol unit 210 to receive information regarding alarm events detectedby the monitor control unit 210. The central alarm station server 270also may receive information regarding alarm events from the one or moreuser devices 240.

The central alarm station server 270 is connected to multiple terminals272 and 274. The terminals 272 and 274 may be used by operators toprocess alarm events. For example, the central alarm station server 270may route alarm data to the terminals 272 and 274 to enable an operatorto process the alarm data. The terminals 272 and 274 may includegeneral-purpose computers (e.g., desktop personal computers,workstations, or laptop computers) that are configured to receive alarmdata from a server in the central alarm station server 270 and render adisplay of information based on the alarm data. For instance, thecontroller 212 may control the network module 214 to transmit, to thecentral alarm station server 270, alarm data indicating that a sensor220 detected a door opening when the monitoring system was armed. Thecentral alarm station server 270 may receive the alarm data and routethe alarm data to the terminal 272 for processing by an operatorassociated with the terminal 272. The terminal 272 may render a displayto the operator that includes information associated with the alarmevent (e.g., the name of the user of the alarm system, the address ofthe building the alarm system is monitoring, the type of alarm event,etc.) and the operator may handle the alarm event based on the displayedinformation.

In some implementations, the terminals 272 and 274 may be mobile devicesor devices designed for a specific function. Although FIG. 2 illustratestwo terminals for brevity, actual implementations may include more (and,perhaps, many more) terminals.

In some implementations, the one or more user devices 240 communicatewith and receive monitoring system data from the monitor control unit210 using the communication link 238. For instance, the one or more userdevices 240 may communicate with the monitor control unit 210 usingvarious local wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bolt, Lora, Bluetooth,Z-Wave, Zigbee, “HomePlug,” or other Powerline networks that operateover AC wiring, or Power over Ethernet (POE), or wired protocols such asEthernet and USB, to connect the one or more user devices 240 to localsecurity and automation equipment. The one or more user devices 240 mayconnect locally to the monitoring system and its sensors and otherdevices. The local connection may improve the speed of status andcontrol communications because communicating through the network 205with a remote server (e.g., the monitoring application server 260) maybe significantly slower.

Although the one or more user devices 240 are shown as communicatingwith the monitor control unit 210, the one or more user devices 240 maycommunicate directly with the sensors and other devices controlled bythe monitor control unit 210. In some implementations, the one or moreuser devices 240 replace the monitoring system control unit 210 andperform the functions of the monitoring system control unit 210 forlocal monitoring and long range/offsite communication.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 for sending a package receiptnotification to a user. The connected scale device receives a package(310). A delivery man may place a package on the connected scale deviceat an exterior of a monitored property. The connected scale device maybe marked with signage that indicates to the delivery man to place thepackage on the scale. In some examples, the connected scale device maybe equipped with a motion sensor that detects a person approaching themonitored property, and outputs an audible command to place the packageon the scale. In other examples, an external camera at the monitoredproperty may detect a delivery man approaching the monitored property,and may communicate with the control unit to prompt the connected scaledevice to output the command to place the package on the scale. Thecamera may distinguish the delivery man from a walker by based ondetecting the delivery man's DIAD company issued device. For example,the camera may identify the delivery man's UPS DIAD device.

The connected scale device determines the weight of the package (320).The connected scale device may be an analog or digital scale, or may bea spring balance or load cell scale. The connected scale device may beconfigured to measure the weight of items placed on the sale accurately.The connected scale device may have the ability to measure the weight ofitems up to 400 lbs/180 kg. The connected scale device may measure theweight of items within a 0.2-0.5 lb accuracy. The connected scale devicemay not include a display that indicates the weight of the package tothe delivery man or to the user. In some implementations, where theconnected scale device is integrated with a monitoring system, theweight of the package determined by the scale is communicated to thecontrol unit, and stored in memory. In other implementations, thedetermined weight of the package is stored locally at the connectedscale device. In some examples, where one or more packages are deliveredto the monitored property and placed on the scale, the connected scaledevice may remain in an armed status, and the weight of the additionalpackages placed on the scale are logged and stored at the scale and orcommunicated to the control unit.

The connected scale device changes its status to armed (330). When aconnected scale device determines the weight of a package delivery onthe scale, the status indicator LED on the scale changes from green tored indicating that the connected scale device is in an armed state. Apackage receipt notification is sent to the user (340). The packagereceipt notification may be sent by the control monitor to the userdevice of a user associated with the monitored property. The connectedscale device may communicate to the control unit when a package isreceived on the scale and the weight of the package is determined. Insome implementations, the control unit may be in communication with amonitoring server, which is in communication with a third party serverassociated with the sender of the package or the shipping service usedto ship the package. In these implementations, the monitoring server mayreceive information, such as, which package was delivered and from whichsender. For example, the sender Amazon may communicate an order numberassociated with a package, and FedEx may communicate the confirmation ofdelivery, delivery time, and shipping weight of the package to themonitoring server. The monitoring server may then communicate the senderand shipper information to the control unit. Based on the weight of thepackage communicated to the control unit, and the sender and shipperinformation received from the monitoring server, the control unit mayconfirm the particular package that was delivered to the monitoredproperty. The package receipt notification may include the determinedweight of the package, the sender of the package, the shipping details,and any other appropriate information about the particular package.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 for triggering an alarm. Theconnected scale device receives a package (410). A delivery man mayplace a package on the connected scale device at an exterior of amonitored property. The connected scale device may be marked withsignage that indicates to the delivery man to place the package on thescale. In some examples, the connected scale device may be equipped witha motion sensor that detects a delivery person approaching the monitoredproperty, and outputs an audible command to place the package on thescale. In other examples, an external camera at the monitored propertymay detect a delivery man approaching the monitored property, and maycommunicate with the control unit to prompt the connected scale deviceto output the command to place the package on the scale.

The connected scale device determines the weight of the package (420).The connected scale device may be an analog or digital scale, or may bea spring balance or load cell scale. The connected scale device may beconfigured to measure the weight of items placed on the sale accurately.For example, the connected scale device may have the ability, measurethe weight of items up to 400 lbs/180 kg. The connected scale device maymeasure the weight of items within a 0.2-0.5 lb accuracy. The connectedscale device may not include a display that indicates the weight of thepackage to the delivery man or to the user. In some implementations,where the connected scale device is integrated with a monitoring system,the weight of the package determined by the scale is communicated to thecontrol unit and stored in memory. In other implementations, thedetermined weight of the package is stored locally at the connectedscale device. In some examples, where one or more packages are deliveredto the monitored property and placed on the scale, the connected scaledevice may remain in an armed status, and the weight of the additionalpackages placed on the scale are logged and stored at the scale and orcommunicated to the control unit.

A package receipt notification is sent to the user (430). The packagereceipt notification may be sent by the control monitor to the userdevice of a user associated with the monitored property. The connectedscale device may communicate the determined weight of a package when thepackage is placed on the connected scale device. In someimplementations, the control unit may be in communication with amonitoring server, which may also be in communication with a third partyserver associated with the sender of the package or the shipping serviceused to ship the package. In these implementations, the monitoringserver may receive information, such as, delivery notifications forparticular packages which include the delivery time and sender of eachparticular package. When the control unit determines a match between theweight of a delivered package and the weight of an expected package, thecontrol unit may communicate to the connected scale device to change toan armed state. The status indicator LED on the connected scale devicechanges from green to red when the connected scale device is in an armedstate.

The connected scale device detects a change in weight on the scale(440). While the connected scale device is configured to receive one ormore packages and log the weight of each of the one or more packagesbased on the change in weight on the scale, detecting a decrease in theweight on the scale while the connected scale device is in an armedstatus may indicate someone attempting to steal a package. If a packageis removed from the connected scale device while the connected scaledevice is in an armed state, the scale detects the change in the totalweight and based on the magnitude of the change may determine whichpackage was removed. The connected scale device may accept one or morepackages when the connected scale device is already in an armed status,and may not generate an alarm. For example, the monitored property mayreceive one or more packages from one or more different shippingcompanies before the user is able to retrieve the packages off thescale. In these examples, the connected scale device may detect theincrease in the weight on the scale for each of the of the one or morepackages added, and may log the weight and delivery of the packages.

In some examples, where the detected decrease in weight does notcorrespond to the weight of one of the packages on the scale, the changein weight may be caused by a decrease in the weight of an item in thepackage. For example, a package may include dry ice, as the dry icemelts, the weight of the package may decrease over time. In theseexamples, when the connected scale device detects changes in weight thatdo not correspond to the weight of a package, the connected scale devicemay communicate with the control unit of the monitored property toswitch on one or more cameras near the connected scale device. The oneor more cameras may capture video recordings of the connected scaledevice, which may be communicated to the user device of the user. Theuser may review the captured video recording to verify that the packageson the connected scale device have not been tampered with.

In some other examples, a change in weight on the scale may be due toweather conditions. For example, windy conditions may cause a package tobe blown off the scale partially. The connected scale device may detecta change in weight based on a portion of the package being on the scale.In some implementations, the monitoring server may receive externalweather data and may communicate the received data to the control unitat the property. Based on the received weather data, the control unitmay determine that a change in the weight on the sale may be expecteddue to windy conditions. The control unit may switch on one or morecameras near the connected scale device to capture video recordings. Thecontrol unit may communicate the received video recordings to the userdevice of the user. The user may review the captured video recordings toverify that at least one of the packages are partially on the scale, andmay confirm to the control unit that the packages have not been tamperedwith.

The connected scale device generates a warning signal (450). Theconnected scale device may experience a brief delay before triggering analarm based on detecting a change in weight on the connected scaledevice. When the connected scale device detects a change in weight onthe connected scale device that corresponds to the weight of one or morepackages being removed from the scale, the connected scale device maygenerate a warning signal to notify a person who may be attempting tosteal the packages that the connected scale device is armed. In someexamples, the connected scale device may generate a voice message. Forexample, the speaker of the connected scale device may output a voicemessage that indicates that the connected scale device is armed and ifthe packages are not replaced on the scale, an alarm will sound. In someexamples, the connected scale device may beep, or the status indicatormay flash, or any other suitable warning signal may be produced by theconnected scale device.

The duration of the alarm delay period may be hard coded for theconnected scale device, or in some implementations, the alarm delayperiod may be user configurable. In some implementations, the alarmdelay period may be dynamically determined by the monitoring server andcommunicated to the control unit that communicated with the connectedscale device. In these implementations, the monitoring server may be incommunication with one or more other control units at one or moremonitored properties, and may receive data from the one or more othercontrol units. Based on the received data, the monitoring server maydetermine an alarm delay period that is appropriate based on recentpackage deliveries. The one or more control units may receive dataindicating package thefts during a particular time and or within aparticular zip code, and may determine an appropriate alarm delay periodfor a property within the zip code based on the data. For example, thealarm delay period may be shorter based on several package theftsoccurring in a particular zip code.

The connected scale device triggers an alarm (460). The connected scaledevice triggers an alarm when the alarm delay period expires without thepackages being replaced on the scale. In some implementations, theconnected scale device communicates the expired alarm delay period tothe control monitor, and the control monitor triggers a local alarm atthe monitored property. For example, the control unit may trigger one ormore indoor and outdoor lights to flash, or may trigger an indoor oroutdoor siren. In some examples, the control unit may trigger a drone tobe deployed from the monitored property to chase the individual thatremoved the one or more packages off the scale. The control unit mayprompt one or more cameras at the monitored property to start capturingvideo recording and images of the area surrounding the connected scaledevice and the areas around the monitored property to attempt to captureimages of the theft of the packages. The control unit may communicatethe alarm event to the monitoring server, and the monitoring server maycommunicate to the one or more other control units of neighboringproperties to capture video recording and images.

The monitoring server may also communicate with the user device of theuser to notify the user of the alarm situation. In some examples, thenotification may include details of the one or more stolen packages, andmay include a live stream of the video recordings being captured by acamera at the monitored property. The monitoring server may communicatewith one or more user devices of other user associated with neighboringproperties to notify them of the alarm situation. The monitoring servermay also communicate with the servers associated with the sender and theshipper notifying both of the theft. In some implementations, themonitoring server may employ automated audio, image, or video analysisfrom the captured date in real time to assist with identifying thethief. For example, facial recognition techniques may be used, licenseplate recognition, and any other suitable means of identifying the thiefmay be employed.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example process for communicating a packagereceipt notification to a user device of a resident of a monitoredproperty. The connected scale device at the monitored property receivesa package (510). The connected scale device may be located at theexterior of the front of the monitored property, and may include signagethat notifies a delivery person to place deliveries on the connectedscale device. The signage may indicate to person that an alarm willsound when a package is removed from the connected scale device beforethe device is disarmed. In some examples, the connected scale deviceincludes a motion sensor that is configured to detect when a personapproaches the connected scale. When the motion sensor of the connectedscale device detects motion, the connected scale device may output avoice command indicating that deliveries should be placed on theconnected scale device. In some examples, when the motion sensor detectsmotion in the vicinity of the connected scale device, the monitoringcontrol unit automatically commands a camera in the vicinity of theconnected scale device to capture image data.

The connected scale device determines a weight of the package placed onthe connected scale device (520). The connected scale device may be anyscale that is configured to accurately measure the weight of an itemplaced on the scale device. For example, the connected scale device maybe an analog or a digital scale. In other examples, the connected scaledevice may be a spring balance or load cell spring scale. The connectedscale device is armed based on the scale device receiving a package(530).

The monitoring control unit receives data indicating that the connectedscale device received the package and the device is armed (540). Theconnected scale device communicates with the monitoring control unitthat manages the monitoring system at the monitored property when apackage is received. The connected scale device may communicate theweight of the delivered package, the time of delivery, and any otherappropriate data to monitoring control unit. The monitoring control unitcommunicates a notification to a user device of a resident of theproperty based on receiving the data indicating that the connected scalereceived the package and the connected scale device is armed (550). Themonitoring unit may communicate a text message to the user device of theresident indicating that a package was delivered on the connected scaledevice. In some examples, the package receipt notification may includethe time of delivery and the weight of the package. In someimplementations, when the monitoring control unit receives data from theconnected scale device indicating that a package was received by theconnected scale device, a camera that is located in the vicinity of theconnected scale device may capture image data of the package on thescale device. In these implementations, the notification communicated tothe user device of the resident may include one or more images of thepackage on the connected scale device.

In some examples, the resident at the property is expecting a package,and the monitoring control unit may receive shipping data associatedwith the expected package. The shipping data associated with theexpected package may include the expected delivery date, the shipper,and the weight of the package. When a package is received on the date ofan expected delivery, the monitoring control unit determines thedelivered package is most likely the expected package based on theweight of the expected package matching the weight of the packagereceived on the connected scale device. The monitoring control unitcommunicates a notification to a user device of a resident of theproperty indicating that the expected package was delivered to theproperty when the weight of the received package matches the weight ofthe expected package. In an example where the weight of the deliveredpackage does not match the weight of the expected package, themonitoring control unit may communicate a notification to a userindicating that a package other than the expected package was received.In these examples, the package receipt notification may include imagedata of the package on the connected scale device.

In some examples, the user may be expecting more than one package. Inthese examples, the monitoring control unit may receive shipping dataassociated with one or more expected packages. When the connected scaledevice receives a first package on the day when two packages areexpected, for example, the connected scale communicates the weight ofthe first package to the monitoring control unit. The monitoring controlunit determines the delivered package is most likely one of the expectedpackages based on the weight of one of the expected packages matchingthe weight of the first package received on the connected scale device.When the first package is received on the connected scale device, theconnected scale device is armed. When a second package is received onthe connected scale device, the connected scale device remains armed,and detects the weight of the second package. The connected scale devicecommunicates the new detected weight to the monitoring control unit, andthe monitoring control unit determines the weight of the second packageby subtracting the weight of the first received package from the newdetected weight. The monitoring scale communicates a notificationindicating that a second package was received on the scale device. Insome examples, the notification may include the weight of the firstreceived package, the weight of the second received package, and thecombined weight of the package.

The armed connected scale device may be disarmed by a resident of themonitored property. The resident may enter the disarm code for themonitoring system into the control panel of the monitoring system tosimultaneously disarm the monitoring system and the connected scaledevice. Based on the monitoring control unit confirming the disarm codeentered by the resident matches a stored disarm code, the monitoringcontrol unit disarms the monitoring system and the connected scaledevice. When the connected scale is disarmed, any change in weightdetected on the scale does not generate an alert. In some examples, theresident may disarm the connected scale device by entering the disarmcode for the monitoring system into a monitoring system application thatruns on the user's device. In other examples, a specific disarm code maybe used to disarm the connected scale device. The resident may enter theconnected scale disarm code into the control panel of the monitoringsystem, and the monitoring control unit disarms the connected scaledevice based on the entered code matching a stored code. The residentmay also enter the connected scale disarm code into the monitoringsystem application that runs on the user's device. In someimplementations, the connected scale device may include a keypad on thedevice, the user may enter the connected scale device code into to thekeypad to disarm the device.

In some other implementations, the connected scale device mayautomatically disarm when the resident moves the device into themonitored property. The connected scale device may include a trackerthat is used to determine the location of the device when the device isremoved from the monitored property. The connected scale device may beconfigured to generate an audible alarm when the device is moved to alocation outside of a threshold distance from the monitored property. Insome examples, the connected scale device may generate an alarm when thescale is moved.

When the connected scale device is armed and detects a change in theweight on the scale device, the connected scale device communicates thedata indicating that there is a change in the weight of the packagereceived on the device. The monitoring control unit compares the changein weight detected by the connected scale to a weight change threshold.The monitoring control unit may determine a weight change thresholdbased on the initial weight of the package. For example, when a packagethat weighs ten pounds is placed on the connected scale device, themonitoring control unit may determine that the weight change thresholdis 0.5 pounds. The monitoring control unit may determine a weight changethreshold using an algorithm that uses the weight of the package as aninput.

In some implementations, when the connected scale device detects achange in the weight on the scale device, the monitoring control unitmay command the camera in the vicinity of the connected scale device tocapture image data. The monitoring control unit may analyze the capturedimage data to determine whether the package was removed from the scale,or moved so the package is partially on the scale. The monitoringcontrol unit may also analyze the captured image data to determinewhether, at the time of the detected change in weight of the package onthe scale, a person was in the vicinity of the connected scale device.In some implementations, the monitoring control unit may command acamera, that is a part of the monitoring system of a neighboringproperty, to capture image data. The monitoring control unit maycommunicate a notification to the user device of the resident of theproperty indicating that the package was stolen based on determiningthat the package was removed from the connected scale device while aperson was in the vicinity of the device. The monitoring control unitmay communicate a notification to the user device of a resident of theproperty indicating that the weather conditions likely caused thepackage to be either partially or fully removed from the connected scaledevice based on analyzing the image data captured from the camera in thevicinity of the device. The monitoring control unit may determine thatweather conditions cause the package to move when a person is notcaptured in the image data at the time of the change in weight on thescale.

In some implementations, the connected scale device may receive weatherdata from a weather data server. The weather data server may be incommunication with the monitoring control unit that manages the in-homemonitoring system at the monitored property. In some examples, theconnected scale device may be in communication with the weather dataserver. The weather data server may communicate weather data for thevicinity of the monitored property. For example, the weather data servermay indicate that windy conditions are expected at the area of themonitored property. The connected scale may determine that weatherlikely caused the change in the weight reading based on receivingweather data that indicates windy conditions. The connected scale maydetect an increase in the weight of a package on the scale during rainyconditions when the package may be soaked with rain. In these examples,the connected scale device receives weather data indicating rainyconditions and determines that weather likely caused the change inweight in the reading.

The monitoring control unit may command the connected scale device tooutput an alert when the package is removed from the connected scaledevice for a period of time greater than a threshold time. For example,the monitoring control unit may command the connected scale device tooutput an alarm thirty seconds after the package is removed from theconnected scale. In examples where someone may pick up the package andthen put the package back on the scale, the monitoring control unit maynot command the connected scale device to output an alarm based on thepackages being placed back on the scale within the threshold period oftime. For example, when a person picks up the package and returns thepackage to the scale device within twenty seconds, the scale does notgenerate an alarm.

In some implementations, the connected scale device may be a stand alonedevice that is not in communication with a monitoring control unit. Inthese implementations, the user may use a connected scale deviceapplication, running on the user's device to control the connected scaledevice. The user may disarm and arm the connected scale device throughthe application. In these implementations, the connected scale devicemay include a keypad on the surface of the scale. The user may disarmand arm the connected scale by entering the disarm code in the keypad onthe scale. The connected scale device may receive shipping data directlyfrom one or more external servers. For example, the connected scaledevice may receive weather data from the weather data server, and mayreceive shipping data from the shipper of a package.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example process for notifying a user to order moreof a particular product. The connected scale device may be used tomonitor the consumption of a product by the residents of a monitoredproperty. In these examples, the connected scale device may be locatedin the monitored property, and the product to be monitored is placed onthe connected scale device. For example, the resident user may place afull propane tank on the connected scale to monitor the use of thepropane. In some examples, the connected scale device may be used tomonitor supplies in a monitored business property. For example, aconnected scale device may be used to monitor the consumption of coffeebeans at a coffee shop. One or more connected scale devices may be usedat a business to monitor the coffee beans, sugar, tea bags, or otherproduct consumptions.

The connected scale device detects a weight of a product that is placedon the scale (610). The resident may place a new full bag of dog food ona connected scale device at the monitored property. The connected scaledevice detects the weight of the bag of dog food, and communicates thestarting weight of the dog food to the monitoring control unit. Theconnected scale device detects a change in the weight of the productover a period of time (620). The connected scale device may detect thechange in weight in the bag of dog food on the connected scale each timethe user removed food from bag. For example, the connected scale devicedetects a change in weight in the bag of dog food each morning when theresident feeds the dog. The connected scale device may be calibrated todetermine any appropriate change in weight of the product on the scale.The connected scale device communicates the weight data to themonitoring control unit.

The monitoring control unit determines a rate of use of the product onthe connected scale device (630). The monitoring control unit receivesthe weight change data from the connected scale device each time theconnected scale detects a decrease in weight. The monitoring controlunit analyzes the first three or more detected weight changes todetermine the rate of use of the product. The monitoring control unitmay determine a daily rate of use of the product. In some examples, whenthe connected scale device is monitoring the use of propane in a propanetank, the monitoring control unit may determine an hourly rate of usefor the propane when the tank is in use.

The connected scale detects a weight of the product on the scale that isbelow a threshold weight (640). The monitoring control unit maydetermine a threshold weight based on the rate of use of the product.The threshold weight may be based on a weight that indicates that moreproduce should be ordered. The monitoring control unit may also considerthe time the new product would require to be delivered to the monitoredproperty. The monitoring control unit may be in communication with anexternal server that manages the ordering of products and the deliveryof products. For example, the monitoring control unit may be incommunication with an Internet seller server to facility the user toorder products from Internet seller. The monitoring server may determinea threshold weight based on determining how long the new product willtake to arrive, and considering the old product should last until thenew product arrives. When the connected scale detects the weight of theproduct is at or below the threshold weight, the connected scale devicecommunicates the weight to the monitoring control unit.

The monitoring control unit notifies the user that the product is at orbelow the threshold weight (650). When the connected scale devicedetects the product is at or below the threshold weight, the monitoringcontrol unit sends a notification to the user device of the resident ofthe monitored property. For example, the monitoring control unit maysend an in application message to the user indicating that the weight ofthe product is at or below the threshold weight. In some examples, thenotification may include the number of days of product that is left. Forexample, the message may include that there are 6 more days of dog foodleft. In some other examples, the notification may include the number ofdays for new product to arrive. For example, the message may indicatethat it would take 4 days for the new bag of dog food to arrive.

In some examples, the monitoring control unit automatically orders moreof the product when the product weight is at or below the thresholdweight. In these examples, the monitoring control unit communicates withthe external server to order the new product to the monitored property.When the connected scale device is used at a monitored business tomonitor the use of products, the monitoring control unit canautomatically order supplies for the business to assist with theoperation of the business. The monitoring system at a business may beused to monitor the daily activity and use of products at the business.In some examples, presence detection and employee tracking data may beused to provide daily activity data to an owner of a business. The oneor more sensors located throughout the monitored property may be used todetect when an employee is in a room of the property. For example, oneor more motion detectors may detect an employee in the stock roomfollowed by the connected scale device detecting a decrease in the stockof coffee beans in the stock room. The monitoring control unit maycommunicate this event as a notification to the owners of the businessindicating that employee Jane stocked up the coffee beans at 2:00 pm.

In the examples where a connected scale device is used to monitor theuse of propane at a monitored property, the monitoring control unit mayuse the connected scale device weight data, along with data receivedfrom one or more other sensors around the property to monitor forevents. The monitoring control unit may monitor for an anomalies in therate of use of the propane. For example, the monitoring control unit mayreceive data indicating that the propane tank is in use, based on theweight decrease of the propane, however, the one or more motiondetectors in the room with the propane tank has not detected motion inover a threshold period of time. In these examples, the monitoringcontrol unit may generate an alert indicating to the user that there maybe a possible propane tank leak.

The monitoring control unit may monitor for anomalies in the rate of useof the dog food. For example, the monitoring control unit may notreceive data indicating a decrease in the weight of dog food on aparticular day, and based on this the monitor control unit maycommunicate a notification to the user device of the resident indicatingthat the dog may not have been feed for the day.

The described systems, methods, and techniques may be implemented indigital electronic circuitry, computer hardware, firmware, software, orin combinations of these elements. Apparatus implementing thesetechniques may include appropriate input and output devices, a computerprocessor, and a computer program product tangibly embodied in amachine-readable storage device for execution by a programmableprocessor. A process implementing these techniques may be performed by aprogrammable processor executing a program of instructions to performdesired functions by operating on input data and generating appropriateoutput. The techniques may be implemented in one or more computerprograms that are executable on a programmable system including at leastone programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructionsfrom, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system,at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computerprogram may be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-orientedprogramming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; andin any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language.Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and specialpurpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receiveinstructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random accessmemory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such asErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices;magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks;magneto-optical disks; and Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM). Anyof the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in,specially-designed ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

It will be understood that various modifications may be made. Forexample, other useful implementations could be achieved if steps of thedisclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or ifcomponents in the disclosed systems were combined in a different mannerand/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A monitoring system for a property that isconfigured to: receive, from a connected scale device, data indicating aweight on the connected scale device; determine that the weight on theconnected scale device is within a range of an expected weight; afterdetermining that the weight on the connected scale device is within therange of the expected weight, receive, from the connected scale device,a decreased weight on the connected scale device, the decreased weightbeing a portion of the expected weight; determine that an item partiallyfell off the connected scale device based on the decreased weight on theconnected scale device; and based on the decreased weight on theconnected scale device, perform a monitoring system operation, whereinthe monitoring system is configured to perform the monitoring systemoperation by providing a notification that the item partially fell offthe connected scale device to a user device of a resident of theproperty.
 2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the monitoringsystem is configured to perform the monitoring system operation byproviding an image of the connected scale device to a user device of aresident of the property.
 3. The monitoring system of claim 1, whereinthe monitoring system is configured to perform the monitoring systemoperation by providing a notification of the decreased weight to a userdevice of a resident of the property.
 4. The monitoring system of claim1, wherein the monitoring system is configured to determine that theitem partially fell off the connected scale device by determining thatweather caused the item to partially fall off the connected scaledevice.
 5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the monitoringsystem is configured to perform the monitoring system operation byproviding a notification indicating that weather caused the item topartially fall off the connected scale device to a user device of aresident of the property.
 6. The monitoring system of claim 1: whereinthe monitoring system is configured to receive a shipping notificationthat indicates an expected delivery of an expected package and a weightof the expected package, wherein the monitoring system is configured todetermine that the weight on the connected scale device is within therange of the expected weight by determining that the weight on theconnected scale device is within a range of the weight of the expectedpackage; and wherein the monitoring system is configured to provide anotification indicating that the connected scale device received theexpected package to a user device of a resident of the property.
 7. Themonitoring system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system isconfigured to: receive a disarm code; compare the disarm code to astored disarm code that disarms the monitoring system while themonitoring system is in an armed state; and based on the disarm codematching the stored disarm code that disarms the monitoring system whilethe monitoring system is in the armed state, disarm the connected scaledevice.
 8. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the monitoringsystem is configured to: receive image data from a camera in a vicinityof the connected scale device; compare the image data to a stored image;and disarm the connected scale device based on the image data matchingthe stored image.
 9. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving, from a connected scale device included in a monitoring systemfor a property, data indicating a weight on the connected scale device;determining, by the monitoring system, that the weight on the connectedscale device is within a range of an expected weight of an item to bedelivered; after determining that the weight on the connected scaledevice is within the range of the expected weight, receiving, from theconnected scale device, data that indicates a decreased weight on theconnected scale device, the decreased weight being a portion of theexpected weight of an item to be delivered; determining that an itemmoved partially off the connected scale device using the data thatindicates the decreased weight on the connected scale device; and inresponse to determining that the item moved partially off the connectedscale device, providing, by the monitoring system and to a user deviceof an occupant for the property, a notification that the item movedpartially off the connected scale device.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein providing a notification that the item moved partially off theconnected scale device comprises providing an image of the connectedscale device to a user device of a resident of the property.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein providing a notification that the item movedpartially off the connected scale device comprises providing anotification of the decreased weight to a user device of a resident ofthe property.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein determining that theitem moved partially off the connected scale device comprisesdetermining that weather caused the item to move partially off theconnected scale device.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing anotification that the item moved partially off the connected scaledevice comprises providing a notification indicating that weather causedthe item to move partially off the connected scale device to a userdevice of a resident of the property.
 14. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: receiving a shipping notification that indicates an expecteddelivery of an expected package and a weight of the expected package,wherein determining that the weight on the connected scale device iswithin the range of the expected weight comprises determining that theweight on the connected scale device is within a range of the weight ofthe expected package; and performing a monitoring system operation byproviding a notification indicating that the connected scale devicereceived the expected package to a user device of a resident of theproperty.
 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving adisarm code; comparing the disarm code to a stored disarm code thatdisarms the monitoring system while the monitoring system is in an armedstate; and based on the disarm code matching the stored disarm code thatdisarms the monitoring system while the monitoring system is in thearmed state, disarming the connected scale device.
 16. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: receiving image data from a camera in avicinity of the connected scale device; comparing the image data to astored image; and disarming the connected scale device based on theimage data matching the stored image.
 17. The monitoring system of claim1, wherein the monitoring system is configured to determine that theweight on the connected scale device is within the range of the expectedweight of an item to be delivered to the property.